Pest control

ABSTRACT

Various aspects comprise controlling and/or euthanizing vermin or pests for preventing such vermin or pests from entering into a geographical area or into a building, wherein the device comprises at least one completely or partially uninsulated electrically conducting wire or conductor connected to an electrical current source, providing controlled electrical pulses to said conductor or wire in the form of pulses or pulse trains. The device may be used in a method for controlling the access of pests/vermin to a geographical location, building or property wherein the electrically conducting wire(s) lead(s) an electrical current with an amperage of not less than 0.0001 A. The device and method may be particularly suited for removing/controlling pests/vermin on land.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims the priority benefit ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/731,242, having a U.S. 371 date May5, 2017, which is the National Phase of PCT patent application numberPCT/NO2015/050207 filed Nov. 6, 2015, which claims the priority benefitof Norwegian patent application number 20141322, filed Nov. 6, 2014, thedisclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

Various aspects are directed toward preventing pests from entering ageographic area.

2. Description of Related Art

Pests and vermin in the form of rodents (mice, rats, rabbits, etc.),insects (cockroaches, beetles, ants, termites, mosquitoes, moths, wasps,scorpions, etc.), arachnoid (spiders), multi therapists (centipedes,scolopenders), mollusks/nematodes (snails, etc.), birds (pigeons, gulls,crows, etc.), reptiles (snakes, geckos, etc.), other pests such asmartens, weasels, raccoons, gophers, etc. as well as animals that canattack people such as hyenas, tigers, lions, bears, wolves, wild boar,etc. can do great damage to crops, breeding farms, buildings,warehouses, installations etc. and they may carry diseases or increasefear of going out. Many people residing or working inside buildings andinstallations such as food stocks, grain storages, transport vessels(ships, cars, airplanes) etc. may also be vulnerable to attack, or theresidence of such pests can damage the stored material (food, grain,etc.), the inventory of installations (furniture, electrical wires,etc.) or even the installations themselves (wooden beams (bearing orframe), insulation, etc.) are liable to become damaged. It is thereforeof importance that such pests are prevented from having access to suchsites, buildings and installations.

In addition, and partly because of the risk of infection or diseasesthat these animals may carry or because of the potential damage suchanimals may do, it may also be desirable to euthanize such animals incertain areas. For example, it may be desirable to reduce or eliminatestrains of rats that may reside in sewage plants in cities.

Also in the control of insect pests (cockroaches, carpenter ants,termites, etc.) it may be necessary to kill the pests rather than justpreventing their access to an area (pantry, food storage, kitchen,etc.). Also larger rodents such as moles or gophers can cause harm tocrops such as carrots, turnips, potatoes, cabbage, etc. and it is alsodesirable to keep such animals away from the relevant crop (at leastuntil it is harvested). A further example can be snails (e.g.Iberia-snails/brown snails) that can multiply to large numbers and dogreat damage, for example ornamental plants and crops.

In the shipping business it is also wanted an alternative to toxicbottom coatings for preventing or controlling the growth of shells orother aquatic organisms to the hulls of boats, partly on account of suchorganisms representing a drag on the progression of the ship's hullthrough the water, and additionally on account of the biohazard suchorganisms may represent if they are liberated into environments therethey do not have any natural enemies.

On particular marine area that is of relevance to the device accordingto the present invention is in cultivating and breeding cages or netswithin the fish breeding business.

Cultivated or bred salmonides such as Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar),trout such as rainbow trout are frequently infested by parasiticcrustaceans called salmon lice. These parasites attack the salmonides inthe cultivating or breeding pen or net, and eat the flesh of the fishand thereby killing them or at least reducing their resistance to e.g.infections thereby causing great damage to the farmed fish. One of themethods that has been used for controlling such infestations of salmonlice is by supplying poison to the water in and around the farming pensor nets. The normally used compounds for controlling the infestation ofsalmon lice to fish farming facilities are, however, also toxic andcarcinogenic to humans, and an alternative to this method isconsequently urgently searched for.

Previously, it was customary to kill the relevant pests. For example, ithas been and it is still common to add mouse and rat poison toaccessible cages for removing mice and rats from e.g. residential areas.The disadvantage of this practice is that animals other than those whichare considered to be the appropriate pests, may ingest such poisoneither directly or indirectly by eating the poisoned vermin that theycatch. For example, pets such as dogs and cats or other beneficialanimals such as hedgehogs or small birds may ingest such poisons andthus die, which could aggravate any pest nuisance (e.g. by removing catsthat hunt and kill rodents from an environment when they accidentallyconsume such deployed poison).

Another aspect of controlling pests is that animals considered by humansto be vermin and pests, usually occur within a natural environment, aso-called biotope. By way of example, removing rodents from a naturalarea, will simultaneously remove the food consumption basis forpredators within the same area. This could have as a consequence thatthe wild animals/predators lose their life due to human interventionthus upsetting the natural balance in the relevant biotope.

Consequently, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide acontrol device for such vermin/pests where the use of such a controldevice does not unduly distort or disturb such a natural balance in abiotope.

A prior art device which intends to prevent pests from entering homes,is an electrical generator of ultrasonic sound waves where theultrasound is perceived as uncomfortable or intimidating to pests, andwhere the ultrasound is produced in a frequency range that can not beheard by humans. However, a disadvantage of such generators is that thesound being generated, in time is no longer perceived by the pests assufficiently uncomfortable or scary because the relevant vermin/pestsget used to the sound over time and/or discover that there are nonegative consequences to themselves when the sound is heard.

It is also known a number of mechanical mouse and rat traps where theanimals are lured to the traps using a snack that is attached to thetrap, and the trap is triggered mechanically and by a release mechanismassociated with the food which is activated when the food is touched sothat the trap is triggered when the animal is attempting to obtain thesnack/food, or the trap is connected to a mechanical or electricaltrigger that is activated when the animal steps on the trigger or isrecorded to be near the trap. Such mechanical traps are, however, allexclusively aimed at killing the animals.

Regarding insects, there are devices which rely on the fact that manyinsects (mosquitoes, moths, etc.) are attracted by light and heat (manyinsects perceive and are attracted by emitted light in the infraredspectrum), so that they will fly to any such light source. By connectingthe light source to, for example, an energized wire mesh, the insectswill be killed when they fly toward the light source. Such devices arehowever not intended for rejection/control of such and othervermin/pests that do not fly (ants, snails, mollusks (water), etc.) orlarger pests such as mammals (rodents and larger animals).

It is further from WO 2004 21780, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,165,577 and 6,223,464known devices utilizing live wires to kill ants/termites, in which twoelectrically conductive wires are brought together in close distance toeach other under an overhang where the ants are forced to travel up theoverhang and thus coming into contact with the electrical wires so as tobe killed through an electrical shock/electrocution.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,196 discloses an apparatus which utilizes electricalconductors and wherein the apparatus is designed to kill insects. Insuch an arrangement there is used, however, very low amperage andvoltage so that this device is not intended for larger animals such asreptiles (snakes geckos, etc.) and rodents (rats, mice, moles, etc.).

Also in U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,096 there is disclosed the use of electricalpower to kill nematodes and arthropods and especially ants and termites.In such an arrangement there is used phase-locked high voltage whereneither the voltage nor amperage are varied appreciably, and suchdevices are not intended for rejecting larger animals such as rodents orreptiles.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,366,854 there is described an electrical device forrejecting birds. Here the electricity is entered in lines located in alanding spinner for the birds, and the birds get shocked if they touchthe landing pins in the landing spinner so that contact occurs betweenthe wires through the birds' toes. Such a device is not intended forinsects, rodents or reptiles.

There exists consequently a need for a device which can reject or expelpests/vermin of any size and wherein the effect of such a device doesnot decrease with time and which, in one embodiment, does not harm theanimals concerned so that the balance in the surrounding biotope of thedevice is not unduly disturbed. There is also a need for a device inwhich electricity can be controlled so that it can be adapted to thesize of the relevant pest/vermin and to the type of animal that is to beexpelled/rejected/dismissed. At least such a function is considered torepresent an improvement over the prior art devices.

It is previously known electric fence devices comprising a plurality ofvertical rods/fence posts between which rods/fence posts there are drawnelectrically conducting cables, where touching these wires causes anelectrical shock to the individual that touches the wires. Such fencesare widely used in the outfield or infield to safeguard horses, cows,sheep or goats within the relevant enclosed geographical area e.g. atraining area (horses) or a grazing area (cows) or simply a storage areafor animals.

Unlike the device according to the present invention those previouslyknown electrically conductive enclosures are arranged to keep therelevant live animals inside a region and are not intended to keep pestsoutside of said region, nor are such prior art devices meant for othertypes of animals than larger ones (horses, cows, pigs, bulls, etc.normally of a weight exceeding about 1 kg) so that the height that theelectrical lines above ground level is far higher than the height of thewires in the device according to the present invention. The current flowin the wires in such live fences is the addition of fixed voltage andamperage, and is not intended to be altered or differ in any way. Forthese reasons, non-electrically powered fencing, as is used and designedcurrently, is suitable as a foundation for placing the electricalwiring, according to the present invention, as will be explained furtherbelow.

SUMMARY

Various aspects describe a method, device or system for therejection/dismissal/control/disposal of pests and/or vermin invadinggeographical and other areas, the device comprising a power source andwhere this power source is connected to a number of at least locallyinsulated current conducting wires, said power source being anelectrical generator or battery connected to said at least oneelectrically conducting line(s) or wire(s), wherein the electricalline(s) or wire(s) is/are mounted to an object at land or sea, whereinelectrical current is supplied to said line(s) or wire(s) for providingan electrical current conducted through any organism short-circuiting anelectrical circuit formed by said electrically conducting line(s) orwire(s). When the device/system is located on land, said electricallyconducting line(s)/wire(s) is/are located at a height above the groundor flush with the ground or even below the ground to form anelectrically conductive barrier or field protecting against the ingressof vermin to said area. The electrically conducting line(s) is/are atleast partially isolated, and energized power lines are installed aboveground. It is preferred that the electrically conducting lines arelocated at a distance of at least 1 cm above the ground level. Theinvention also relates to a method for optimizing power transfer andpower adjustment in such a device to be optimally fit for therejection/dismissal of the pests/vermin in question, and the use of sucha device for the rejection/control/disposal of pests penetrating anddamaging an area or devices within said area.

The present invention may relate to a device of the kind defined inclaim 1. The invention may further relate to a method of using thedevice by regulating the current in such devices to achieve optimalefficacy of such devices as defined by the user of the device as well asthe use of such a device to keep pests/vermin outside a geographicalarea.

For a living being to perceive it getting an electric shock (deterrentor killed), it must in some way short out or complete an electricalcircuit. This can be achieved principally in three ways. One way iswherein the electrical current is passed via an (un-insulated) wire saidwire being located/mounted so that it does not touch or is isolated fromcontact with the ground, and where the current is passed to ground ifthere is achieved contact between the wire and the ground. If an animalcauses said electrical connection/short circuit by the animal standingon the ground, particularly when the ground is in such a state that itconducts electricity, for example when being wet or damp, andsimultaneously touching the wire, the animal will short out saidelectrical circuit by grounding between the electrified wire and theground via the individual touching the wire, and thereby getting anelectric shock.

The second way that a living being may perceive getting an electricshock, is by said individual shorting out a circuit by touching twoenergized and bare wires simultaneously. If this happens, the animalwill act as a leader or a “circuit breaker” that short-circuits thecurrent circuit.

The third way in which a subject can perceive an electrical shock, is ifthe individual is located in a high-voltage electric field and where theindividual shortens the distance between the poles of the electric fieldby their existence therein. This can be exemplified by what happens in athunderstorm where lightning usually strikes between electrically andoppositely charged clouds and/or the highest point on the groundsituated below the charged cloud (the condenser principle).

Electrical power passed through an individual may be dangerous and isperceived as uncomfortable for different reasons. Animals and peoplewith a nervous system, where nerve impulses are conducted in nervepathways as current impulses, are susceptible to externally appliedelectrical power. Externally supplied electrical power may overstimulatenerves allowing nerve impulses to muscles to be overcome. This leads to“nerve signals” so that the muscle contracts continuously and the musclegoes into a spasm-like state (rigor) as long as external power isapplied. This is fatal to mammals if nerve impulses to the heart areoverridden so that the heart goes into such a cramp-like state and stopspumping blood to the brain and other vital organs. Even if electricalpower is not passed through the heart, said cramp-like condition of themuscles is perceived as unpleasant and frightening.

For animals the size of a human to be killed with electrical power, theanimal is to complete an electrical circuit through the animal/humanwhere current is conducted through the heart and wherein the amperageexceeds about 100 milliamperes (mA). Minimum lethal amperage for humansis normally within the range of 100-300 mA. Voltage is in this contextnot of major importance, as an individual may well survive a shock witha voltage of several thousand volts as long as the amperage is notparticularly large (under the above amperage of 100 mA, for example,less than 10 mA or less than 5 mA, such as within the range of 1 to 10mA or 5-10 mA). For humans, a current level that is within the range of1-5 mA is hardly noticed. Nevertheless, current levels within this rangeare applicable to be used in the device of the present invention, sincethis device is intended to differentiate between smaller organisms(rodents, insects, etc.) and organisms with different surface states(e.g. snails) that are much more sensitive to electricity.

The above current intervals refer to direct current. AC (alternatingcurrent) is perceived much more intensely since the polarization in suchAC current is alternating continuously. Within a commercial powernetwork for example using a voltage of 110-220 V, it is standard to usean alternating current of about 50-60 Hz, i.e. the polarity of theelectrical power switches 50 to 60 times per second. If such a currentis passed through a mammal with a nervous system, the musclecontractions caused by the alternating current also vary accordingly,which is perceived as the muscle contractions being completely out ofcontrol (which they are).

Both voltage and frequency in commercial facilities in the individualcountries may vary. Common commercial power grids used is normally avoltage of 110 or 220 V AC at a frequency of 50-60 Hz, however othervoltages and frequencies (if AC) may be used in the device and method ofthe present invention. The voltage used in the apparatus of theinvention may vary depending on the type of device in question also froma practical perspective. If a condenser principle is used for deterringvermin from entering an area (see above), it may be appropriate to applya voltage of several thousand volts down to 1.5 V (eg. 50,000 V andlower, e.g. 40,000 V, 30,000 V, 20,000 V, 18,000 V, 17,000 V, 16,000 V,15,000 V, 14,000 V, 13,000 V, 12,000 V, 11,000 V, 10,000, 9,000 V, 8,000V, 7,000 V, 6,000 V, 5,000 V, 4,000 V, 3,000 V, 2,000 V, 1,000 V anddown to the commercial voltage of 400 V, 220 V and 110 V, or lower suchas 100 V, 86 V, 64 V, 52 V, 40 V, 36 V, 24 V, 12 V, 6 V).

Regarding humans a current of AC type with a voltage of 220 V, anamperage of 60-100 mA and a frequency of 60 Hz will normally be fatal,while DC under the same conditions would have to be of a current of300-500 mA to be fatal to humans.

Another form of damage is tissue damage caused by current being passedthrough tissue, thereby giving rise to so-called electroporation of cellmembranes in the tissues exposed to the current. Such damage occurs atthe cellular level and causes injury by the cells in that particulartissue dying. Such tissue damage may later also be the cause ofsecondary damage by dead tissue being attacked and/or consumed bybacteria and viruses. Damage by electroporation can be particularlyrelevant for organisms with high water content and with a moist surfacesuch as snails.

Due to the electrical resistance in electrical conductors the electricalconductors will become heated when thy conduct electricity. This has tobe taken into account when designing the circuit and determining theamperage and voltage to be used in the relevant device.

In view of the current in the device of the present invention in anembodiment and in most cases not being intended to kill animals, butinstead deter them from entering an area, the amperage carried in theelectric wires which animals can touch in such an embodiment, form avoltage within the above unpleasant, but not lethal intervals. Based onOhm's Law (U=RI, wherein U represents the voltage, R represents theelectrical resistance and I represents the amperage of a current carriedin the relevant electrically conducting wire), the voltage will varylinearly with the amperage in an electrical wire with a fixed electricalresistance. Thus it is possible to vary the voltage by varying theamperage in any given electrically conducting wire with a fixedelectrical resistance, and vise versa.

Also the touching of electrified objects by the relevant animal is ofimportance when it comes to whether the animal shall be killed orfrightened. Touching a live power line and the ground or two live wiresat the same time, where the bearing points are situated in differentends of the individual (e.g. forelegs and hind legs) will normally passcurrent through the whole body of the animal (which may have as a resultthat e.g. the heart of the animal stops). However, touching two livewires with two fingers or toes will not send current through the animalsystemically, but only between the parts that touch the wires. This maybe used if the device according to the invention is to deter birds fromlanding on a particular area, the area then being covered with livewires or mesh so that the birds will touch at least two wires at thesame time when they land. This will be experienced by the relevant birdas a shock to the toes, but will not normally kill the animal since thecurrent does not run through the animal's organs.

In another embodiment, it is taken into account the nature of theanimals to control/euthanize. Animals with a dry surface and which arerelatively large (e.g. predators such as bears, wolves, hyenas, lions,etc. or reptiles, e.g. snakes) can tolerate larger electrical currentsthan smaller animals with a moist surface (e.g. nematodes/snails) orsmaller animals with electrically conductive exoskeletons (insects suchas ants, termites, crickets, etc.). In one embodiment, it is appropriateto regulate the electrical current and/or voltage in the electricallyconducting wires. This can be done by, for example. to include aconverter/transformer in the current circuit and/or provide anadjustable resistance. Based on the general Ohm's Law (U=RI, where U isthe voltage in the circuit in volts, R is the electrical resistance ofthe circuit in ohms and I is the amperage in the electrical circuit inAmpere), the voltage in a circuit can be controlled by regulating theresistance as long as the current strength in the circuit is constant orthe amperage of a circuit can be varied by means of the resistor if thevoltage is constant.

The reason that damage with electrical power often is associated withhigh voltage, is precisely that at constant resistance, a high voltagealso indicate a high amperage (also from Ohm's law). The amperage of acircuit is related to the number of free electrons that can betransported in the circuit, where the electrons runs from negative topositive pole, while the current runs in the opposite direction (i.e.from positive to negative pole). The ability of a material to act as anelectrical insulator or electrical conductor is due to the material'sability to supply the electric circuit with free electrons. Metals withfree electrons in a metallic molecular structure or lattice and liquidswith positively and negatively charged ions (e.g. water with a dissolvedsalt or a liquid medium with a dissolved salt) are normally goodelectrical conductors. Since air is considered to be a good insulatorsince the main components of air (mainly molecular oxygen, molecularnitrogen and a small amount of carbon dioxide) do not possess or emitwith difficulty free electrons, having as a consequence that there mayexist an electric field between the two poles of an air-filled spacewhere between the poles there does not exist a material with the abilityto supply free electrons and thereby not giving rise to an electriccurrent. The voltage of such a field may be high (see supra), but willnot be harmful or fatal because there initially does not run anyelectrons between the poles. The ability to pass a current in such acapacitor depends on the distance between the capacitor plates and thisability increases or decreases proportionally with the square of thedistance between the capacitor plates. If an electrical conductor isplaced between the poles in such an electrical field, wherein theelectrical conductor has the ability to provide free electrons, thedistance between the capacitor plates is reduced and a current will runthrough the conductor of a strength associated with the conductor'sability to supply free electrons. If the conductor is e.g. an animal,the animal need not be killed by placing it in an electric field of sucha circuit, based on the animal's ability to pass free electrons betweenthe electrical poles. This allows devices of this invention to utilizeelectric fields between the electric conductors as well ascurrent-carrying wires, since an electrical field is equally suited toscare animals if the animal completes the electric circuit by its merepresence between the electrical poles of the electrical field.

The current used in the apparatus of the present invention may be directcurrent (DC) or alternating current (AC), depending on the power source.If the electrical power originates from a commercial power grid or localalternator/emergency unit, the power will be of AC type, while it willbe of a direct current type (DC) if it originates from e.g. a battery ora solar panel. Alternating (AC) current can also be converted to DCpower using a rectifier. As source of DC power it may be used batteriessingly or batteries connected to each other in parallel or series. Itcan for example be used a battery or batteries voltage of 1.5V, 9 V, 12V or 24 V.

The electrically conducting wires may also be connected in an electricalcircuit in parallel or in series. The wiring has an impact on theworkings of the external circuit of the device according to theinvention. If a number of non-insulated or partially insulatedelectrical conductors are connected in parallel the voltage over theparallel circuit parts will obtain a value being equal in each of thebranches of the parallel, whereas the total amperage in the parallelconnected section of the circuit will equal the sum of the amperages ineach of the branches of the parallel section (I=i.sub.1+i.sub.2+ . . .i.sub.n wherein I represents the total amperage of the parallel circuitconsisting of n branches and i.sub.n represents the amperage in then.sup.th branch of the circuit, wherein n is an integer representing thenumber of the relevant branch of the parallel section) and the inverseof the total resistance of the parallel section will equal the sum ofthe inverse of each resistor in the parallel section(1/R=1/r.sub.1+1/r.sub.2+ . . . 1/r.sub.n wherein R represents the totalelectrical resistance (in Ohms) of the parallel section and r.sub.nrepresents the electrical resistance in the n.sup.th branch of theparallel section, wherein n represents an integer). These relationshipsmay be used to advantage when designing and connecting the sectionsforming the circuits of the device according to the invention.

The electrical power transmitted through the circuit(s) in the apparatusof the present invention may in one embodiment be constant or may, inanother embodiment, be variable. If the perceived effect of the power isto work more strongly on the individual that touches the respectiveelectrical wires (and thereby shorting out said circuit), the currentflow is in one embodiment sent through wires in the form of pulses orpulse trains. This means that the electrical current is varied betweenzero and the selected maximum strength at intervals e.g. 1000 pulses perminute. The electrical train pulse in the apparatus/system of thepresent invention can range from 0 to 10,000 pulses per minute, forexample from 100 to 5000 pulses per minute, or from 500 to 2000 pulsesper minute, or from 700 to 1000 pulses per minute, such as 400, 500,600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400 or 1500 pulses perminute. Such a pulse will be independent of whether it is used directcurrent or alternating current in the device. To reinforce the deterrenteffect of an electric shock by the device according to the inventionthere is preferably used pulses in circuits with direct current (DC),although this is not required.

As is relevant with AC electrical power as well as with electricalpulses, such alterations in the electrical power will, in organismsbeing sensitive to fluctuations in electrical or magnetic fields, beperceived as to be avoided, and will cause such organisms to pause orflee. A wire will, when being supplied with electrical current, form acircular magnetic field around the wire, and an electromagnet may beformed by coiling electrical wires in a helix or a spiral. Such devicesmay be used if organisms being sensitive to magnetic fields are to bedeterred from entering a geographical area. In this respect insects andsnails as well as aquatic animals (jellyfish, carbuncles, mollusks,fish) may be mentioned as organisms being sensitive to electrical andmagnetic fields.

The device of the present invention may comprise a plurality ofconductive wires of a length which is adapted to enclose a region orobject, said wires being connected to a power source of direct oralternating current. Since a shock is not perceived unless the entitytouching the current-conducting wires closes a circuit (much like aswitch does) or transmit power to the ground (which will also representclosing the circuit), the conductive wires in the device of theinvention are in one embodiment isolated completely or partially fromeach other (e.g. either by being equipped with an electricallyinsulating material therebetween or being positioned at a distance fromeach other so that the electrical conducting parts of the device do nottouch each other). In such an embodiment, the non-insulated parts of theelectrical wires are placed so close together that the touch of a wirewill automatically cause also another electrical wire to be touchedsimultaneously so that a current circuit is established on contact. Thedistance between non-insulated parts of the electrical wires may in suchan embodiment lie at a distance from each other within the interval 0.5to 10 cm, the spacing between the wires in this context representing thelength of an imaginary line drawn perpendicular between two points oneach wire that face each other. In such an embodiment, it will exist atleast two live wires in the device.

Alternatively, in a possible embodiment there exists only an at leastpartially uninsulated electrical cord over a distance where theelectrical circuit is closed by contact of the electrically conductivewire so that it is created a circuit between the current-carrying wireand the ground. One possible height above the ground for such wires isfrom ground level and higher e.g. 0 m (ground level), 0.5 cm, 1 cm, 1.5cm, 2 cm and up to 50 cm height at intervals of at least 0.5 cm, e.g.0.5 cm, 0.75 cm, 1.0 cm, 1.05 cm, 1.30, cm, 1.40 cm and 1.50 cm. Such aheight will in most cases ensure that the animals touch at least one ofthe electrical wires so that it completes an electrical circuit throughthe animal between the line and ground or between the individual wires.Assuring touching from the animal to the ground can be promoted by theground below the bottom electrical cord being a rail of a metal thatwill have to be touched simultaneously as at least the lower conductiveline is touched, so that there is closed a short circuit by theelectrical power being passed to ground via the animal. A metal materialmay have sufficient free electrons available for the metal itselfassuming the property of the ground, so that a connection to the groundwill be unnecessary. An example of this is the power circuitry coupledto vehicles with a metal body in which the positive pole is connecteddirectly to the vehicle's metal bodywork, and circuitry to electricallyacting devices in the vehicle circuited via switches connected to thenegative pole via e.g. a switch that stops the current circuit whenconnected to the vehicle's body.

It may also be appropriate in addition or alternatively to wet theground beneath electrically energized power lines for to a greaterextent ensuring electrical contact to the ground by the touching of atleast the lower current-carrying wire and ground/ground rail beneath.

Alternatively, there may in a further possible embodiment be run twobare wires parallel to each other, where the distance between the wiresand the voltage of the wires is balanced so that there will be createdan electrical arcing between the wires if there is placed anelectrically conductive object between the electrical wires.

The wires in the device of the invention can, in one embodiment, beplaced so that the animal is deterred from entering a building, e.g. bybeing placed around the building's foundation, and preferably at adistance from ground level up to 50 m above the ground, although this isnot intended as a limiting height and greater heights may be relevante.g. to prevent swarms of flying insects from entering an area, forexample to prevent locusts from entering into agricultural areas or toprevent swarms of wasps, ants or bees from establishing hives inselected areas during their swarming time/season.

It may also be possible in an alternative embodiment to place theelectrically conducting wires at the ground level in the form of railsor a mesh or grid or netting. The electrical parts in such a devicewould be insulated from the connection to ground, but aconnection/short-circuiting to the ground will be established when ananimal steps on at least one of the current-carrying wires or thecircuit is short-circuited if an animal steps on at least twocurrent-carrying rails or wires simultaneously. In such an embodiment,the device may take the form of an electric grid in which the rail inthe electrical grid is connected to a power source for conductionthrough the rails of the electric grid.

The conductivity of an organism is to some extent depending on theorganism's content of liquid. Mammals normally have a water contentbetween 65-90% (w/w), normally with a plurality of electrolytes such assalt ions, so that they are suitable to conduct electricity. Theconductivity of electrical current in an organism is also to some extentrelated to the animal's surface texture or surface condition, that is,whether the animal has a dry or damp surface. An example of animals thathave good initial electrical conductivity due to its nature is snailsBecause snails have a relatively damp surface they will conductelectricity easily and be particularly vulnerable to electrical power.Snails are also relatively small animals, so it is consequently requiredquite small currents to euthanize them. An example of animals that donot have a moist surface, are insects such as ants. These animals do notconduct electricity to the same extent as snails, but they are alsosensitive to electrical power because of their relatively small size andpresumable their sensitivity to electrical and magnetic fields. Anotherexample of animals that do not have a damp surface, and therefore canwithstand “more” electrical power than snails and insects, is rodentssuch as rats and mice. These animals are also relatively much largerthan snails and insects, so that they for this reason can withstand“more” electrical power. There may also be parts of an animal that aremore moist than the rest of the animal's surface. An example of this isa dog's snout or nose that would normally be more humid than the rest ofthe dog (in dry weather) or its tongue. Touching an electrical wire withsuch a body part would therefore have a stronger effect than by contactwith another and drier body part.

A possible consideration in the construction of the apparatus of theinvention is to design it to be sufficiently physically robust that itcan withstand an attack from an animal without losing its effect.Animals may react differently when they experience an electrical shock.The usual reaction in animals that are not killed off by the electricalpower, but only experience it as unpleasant, is that the animal becomesafraid and flees. The more frequent the animal experiences to get ashock when approaching or touching an energized wire, the more it willnormally become shy to approach this area. However, the animal may alsoreact with aggression and anger towards the electrically energizeddevice. If this happens at the rejection of larger animals such aswolves, bears, wild dogs, etc. the animal rises with anger and attacksthe device. When attacking the animal will again experience the electricshock, which may enhance its fury, and the animal may consequently teardown and destroy the apparatus out of rage. It may therefore bebeneficial to inspect the inventive device at regular intervals (forexample, two to three times a week down to once a month, decided by aprofessional with knowledge of the animals who live in the relevantarea) or the device may be equipped with an automatic alarm that alertsthe user at break in the circuit (s) of the device.

Based on the above considerations, the control of current and/or voltagein the electrical circuitry of the present device may to a certainextent make it possible to decide what kind of animal that is to berejected (and hence not killed) and the type of animals that are to bekilled, where the same amperage could kill snails and insects while onlyseeming uncomfortable and intimidating to for example rodents (mice andrats).

Based on its body volume (and not on their surface texture), it may as arule, be suggested that at a normal voltage of 220V, and an amperage ofup to 0.01 mA could be used to kill slugs and insects, while the samecurrent can be suitable to reject rodents. At the same voltage of 220V,a current of between 0.01 and 0.10 mA could kill small rodents (mice,rats, gophers, squirrels, etc.). A further increase of the amperage inthe same voltage range, e.g. in the range from 0.10 to 15 mA, could killlarge mammals such as wild dogs, hyenas, badgers, etc. In this context,snails and insects are considered as “small” animals, rodents will beconsidered as “medium” animals and hyenas, badgers, wild dogs, etc. willbe considered “big” animals (see below).

In order to maintain supervision of the voltage and/or amperage of thepresent device, the device may comprise measuring means such as anammeter and/or a voltmeter.

In the above description there has been applied relative terms such as“small”, “large”, “damp”, “dry”, etc. These phrases represent such sizesin relation to a human being, so that a “small” animal is a animal thathas a weight that is 1% (w/w) or less of the average weight of a human(75 kg), a “medium” large animal is an animal with a weight within therange of 1%-30% (w/w) by weight of an average person while a “large”animal is an animal with a weight of 30% (w/w) and upward by an averagehuman.

A material that is “dry” may have a water content within the range of0.0%-1.0% (w/w) water, or contain water that is bound, for example. apolysaccharide or protein or biological complex may exist so that thewater molecules are unable to contribute free electrons that can go intoan electrical power circuit. An example of a “dry” material is a naturalor synthetic material such as stone or plastic, but may also includewood that has a water content within the above range for the notion“dry”.

Likewise, the term “moist” refers to a material being of natural orsynthetic origin having a water content within the range from 1.0 to 15%water (w/w) in free or bound form, in which water molecules maycontribute ions or having dissolved therein salts which can contributeions that can go into an electrical circuit.

The term “wet” will refer to a natural or synthetic material having awater content of 15% (w/w) or more. In this context any biologicalnatural tissue is “wet” (possibly apart from the skin surface whichconsists of dead skin cells without free water molecules or furcomprising creatine fibers without water in the structure). Supply ofwater to “dry” structures will of course change the situation so thatthe “dry” structures can change to become “moist” or “wet”. For example,sweat could alter the skin's condition from being regarded as “dry” tobe considered as “moist or “wet”.

The term “about” shall mean that the actual size has a value that canvary within .+−.10% of the quoted value. For example, a current that is“about” 10.0 amperes could vary within the range from 9.0 to 11.0amperes. Measurement accuracy in such sizes will be within the number ofdecimal places that occurs after the comma, or the number of decimalunits in measuring the size occurring before commas. For example, themeasurement accuracy for the size 10.0 amperes lie within 1.10 amperes,while the measurement accuracy for size 10.00 A will be within 1/100amperes.

Joule is a measure designator indicating effect. A Joule is defined as aforce in Newton exerted over a meter (J=.sup.(kgM.sup.2)/m.sup.2=Nm).

Similarly Watt is a unit of measurement indicating the electrical power.The number corresponds to the number in Watts of Joules per unit of time(P(W)=E (J)/t(s)), where P is the power in Watts, E corresponds to theenergy in Joules and t equals the time in seconds (s)). Based on theabove general description the applied electrical power of the device ofthe invention will in many useful embodiments exist within the range upto 5 Joules at an electrical resistance of 500 Ohm. Since both thevoltage and current should be variable in the inventive device the powerconsumed will also vary accordingly. However, it is not necessary toincrease the effect more than necessary in each case, depending on thekind of animals to be rejected/dismissed/euthanized (large/small,sensitive to power or not, etc.) and whether it is desired to kill theseanimals or only deter them from entering the relevant area. A normalpower consumption of a device according to the invention lies in oneembodiment within the range from 0.1 to 100 Joules per km, although thisis not limiting the invention. Exemplary power values for an inventivearrangement is about 1 Joule/km for an industrial area, which is notintended to kill the animal, but can go up 10-15 Joules/km or more if itis desired to kill the animals.

As previously mentioned, the device according to the invention may inone embodiment be used in sewage plants to regulate the rat populationin such facilities. Another area in which a device according to theinvention may be used is in one embodiment in ventilation systems wherethere may be placed electrical deflectors of the invention in the faninlet or the second inlet and the air outlet to ensure that pests/verminsuch as cockroaches do not enter the relevant area/the relevant buildingthrough the ventilation system.

In some areas, the use of electrical devices such as a device of thepresent invention, may be subject to government regulations. Withoutderogating from the subject matter of the invention, it will of coursebe a prerequisite that such local regulations are observed. Thevariations that exist within the scope of the invention will enableadapting the object of the invention without operating outside the scopedefined by the appended claims.

An alternative location wherein the device according to the inventionwill be particularly effective, is within the maritime area. Salt waterand sea water or generally water containing electrically charged ions,conducts electrical current well, and organisms living within such amedium is particularly susceptible to electrical shock. Thus fish suchas sharks (being considered to be “small” to “large” animals dependingor their species and age) or stingrays, jellyfish and other aquaticanimals may be killed or deterred from entering an area by using thedevice according to the present invention. One embodiment of theinvention will constitute electrifying the hull of a ship (if the hullis made of metal) with an electrical current as disclosed supra (e.g.being supplied in pulse trains and being of a constant or alternatingnature) for preventing mollusks, seaweed, kelp, barnacles, etc. fromattaching themselves to and growing on said ship's hull.

In one embodiment of the maritime variant of the invention, trains ofelectrical pulses of 110-40000 Volts and 0.001-0.1 amperes) are variedin square pulses with a duration of 0.1 seconds continuously through themetallic hull of a cargo ship. The expression “square pulses” refers topulses alternating between zero volts and amperes and the maximum valueof these variables increasing immediately from the lowest to the highestvalue and vise versa at the ending of the pulse combining to a pulsetrain where the duration of the zero electrification and the maximumelectrification is the same. It is also possible to vary the durationbetween each pulse in the pulse train, and it is also possible to useboth alternating and direct current in the current trains. Consequentlythe electrification of the system according to the invention representsin general continuously short-circuiting the relevant electrical circuitwhere the electrical charge is transferred to the electricallyconducting object, said object being a ship's hull, an electricallyconducting wire, an electrically conducting grille or screen, etc. Whena pulse train is used for scaring the relevant pests away, the pulsetrain will as an example include a train of from two to 20 pulses insuccession with a resting period of at least twice the duration betweenthe pulses in the train, e.g. when ach pulse in the pulse train has aninterval of 1 sec. between each pulse, then the duration between eachtrain is from 2 seconds and above, e.g. 2.5-7 seconds. The number ofpulses in a pulse train may be within the range of 3-50 pulses pertrain, e.g. 3, 5, 7, 10 or 15 pulses per pulse train.

In one embodiment of the invention there is used a condenser forbuilding up the relevant voltage to be conducted in the circuit, andwherein a pulse is conducted from the condenser as soon as the relevantvoltage has been reached. The condenser will then be discharged, andwhen this happens the external circuit is switched off until thecondenser again has built up the voltage for firing again. Therecharging and discharging of the condenser depends on the type ofcondenser as well as its adjustment to the task at hand. The spacing ofthe individual electrical pulses separately or in a pulse train, may becontrolled through e.g. a relay or timer.

In analogy to the maritime embodiment disclosed supra it is in anotherembodiment of the invention contemplated to install electricallyconducting wires into existing swage pipes. The electrically conductingwires are installed for touching or lying partially or completeelectricity to objects/animals touching the sewage, e.g. rats or othertypes of vermin living in the sewer system. When activating the systemaccording to the invention the rats/vermin will be subjected to theelectrical current and be scared away or killed depending on thereceived electrical charge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a possible embodiment for the placement of electricalconducting cables around a house as a schematic diagram.

FIG. 2 shows a possible embodiment for the placement of electricalconducting cables around an open area such as a square or a pier as aschematic diagram. In one embodiment the geographical area may be akindergarten or daycare center.

FIG. 3 shows a possible embodiment for the placement of electricalconducting cables around a compartment for storing waste such as roomswith garbage containers. This is to reject pests such as rats, foxes,raccoons, etc. from areas of edible waste.

FIG. 4 shows a possible embodiment for the placement of electricalconducting cables around or in an area of runway for aircraft. Airtraffic is threatened because the birds stay on landing and departureareas at airports, which also is not particularly healthy for the birds.Similarly, small rodents such as rabbits often stay and live atairports. Such animals are of interest to reject/dismiss from airportareas, both in relation to aviation safety and in terms of animal lives.It is therefore desirable to reject/dismiss animals from such areas,something which can be easily obtained with a device according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 shows a possible embodiment for placement of an electricallyconductive grid located on traverses of a road surface to prevent farmand utility animal from moving on the roadway.

FIG. 6 shows a possible embodiment for the placement of electricalconducting cables inside a sewer for rejecting/killing vermin such asrats.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment for forming a fence maintaining a current inthe fence elements and where the fence posts are fixed into the groundand/or possibly to a fastening rail which may also be of an electricallyconductive material such as metal.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a set-up scheme for an electrical wirelessoperation unit according to the invention.

FIGS. 9, 9 a, 9 b, 9 c show different versions of a device using anembodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention in asystem removing salmon lice from infected fish and for preventing salmonlice to enter a fish-rearing or breeding facility (net).

FIG. 10 shows how a device according to the present invention may beused to remove algae and jellyfish from a maritime location (e.g.bathing or recreational location, harbor, etc.), the device according tothe invention being on the form of an electrified netting.

FIG. 11 shows how an embodiment of an electrified netting presented inFIG. 10 .

FIG. 12 shows how a device according to the present invention may bemounted on a hull of a ship.

FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of how a device according to the presentinvention may be used in a canoe or surfboard for scaring predators suchas sharks from attacking such floating devices.

FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of how a device according to the presentinvention may be used for scaring/euthanizing rodents in a sewer system.

FIG. 15 shows an embodiment of how a device according to the presentinvention may be structured on and around a tent or a comping site.

FIG. 16 shows an embodiment of how a device according to the presentinvention may be mounted to a roller to be dragged after a tractor forscaring away moles and gophers from a field (e.g. corn field).

FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of how a device according to the inventionmay be placed around a roller shown in FIG. 16 .

In all figures like reference numerals refer to like elements of thedevice of the invention unless something else is specifically indicated.Reference symbols + and − refers to the possible polarization ofenergized power lines (if DC is used). By alternating the polarizationshift, so that the reference symbols + and − by AC only showspolarization in the facility at a given time.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example 1: This example refers to a device which is shown in FIG. 1 .FIG. 1 shows a circuit (I) in one embodiment leading alternating currentof 220V in lines (reference numerals 1, 2, 3), wherein the alternatingcurrent has a frequency of 60 Hz. In this circuit (I) there may beincluded a resistance/converter that regulates the amperage to be below0.1 A, so that touching the wires (1, 2, 3) is not fatal to humans, butwill be perceived as unpleasant to touch for humans and larger mammals.Such power would still be able to kill smaller animals such as rats,mice, snakes, insects, snails, etc. The circuit is constituted in theillustrated embodiment of three partially uninsulated conductors (1, 2,3) which either do not touch the ground or is insulated electricallyfrom the ground at the points where they could touch the ground (e.g.the attachment points for wires in a foundation (4)). The wires (1, 2,3) is in this embodiment are placed to run substantially parallel toeach other and at a spacing of about 2.0 cm. The distance of the groundwires from the ground (1, 2, 3) is not critical, but in the illustratedembodiment, this distance is 5 to 15 cm. In the embodiment shown in FIG.1 , the circuit may be wired in two ways, namely wherein the relevantindividual touches one of the lines (1, 2, 3) while it is insulated onthe ground (5) or touches the foundation (4). This will cause electronsto be running from the wire to ground (4, 5), and the individual willexperience a shock. Alternatively, the individual ma touch at least twoenergized power lines (1, 2, 3) simultaneously, and this will alsocreate a short-circuiting and give the individual an electrical shock.Such an experience of shock will deter individuals from approaching thearea where the wires are located.

The experienced electrical impulses are perceived as a danger to rodentsand other pests/insects. Animals are more sensitive to electricity thanhumans. If people or larger animals still bump into the product, theywill get an electric shock from the device. This is neither dangerousfor children/people or pets, but it will be perceived as uncomfortable.It is also possible to add protection at the front of the electricalwiring so that it reduces the risk of children and pets get anelectrical shock.

Example 2: The wiring map for live wires in the embodiment shown in thisexample refers to FIG. 2 , but is in principle the same as the one shownin FIG. 1 , namely, around a zone (4), which in this case is constitutedof an outdoor area such as a square (4), but the current flowing throughthe wires (1′) is a direct current supplied from a 12 V car battery.Energized power lines (1′) in this example are comprised of grids addedvertically rounded area (4). In this circuit example, it can be inserteda relay that varies the current in pulses with a pulse interval of 100pulses per. minute when the power circuit is closed. The amperage inthis example is regulated to be in the interval 100-200 mA and intendedfor euthanasia of small animals such as snails (slugs), insects (ants,termites) and small rodents (mice, rats), while it will only beperceived as uncomfortable and intimidating for larger animals (dogs,hyenas, bears, etc.) and people.

For both Example 1 and Example 2 it may be noted that any contact witheither bare wire with electrical access to ground (4) and touch of atleast two bare wires (1, 2, 3) at the same time will give an electricalshock.

Example 3: The wiring map for electric wires (1) is in the embodimentshown in this example the same as in examples 1 and 2, and refer to FIG.3 . In this example energized power lines (1) being netting fences orgrids are driven vertically into the ground around the containers (6) tobe protected against the infestation of vermin. In this example therelevant and enclosed area (4) is that of a garbage area with garbagecontainers (6) placed in a room. The supply of power can be madeaccording to Example 1 or Example 2.

Example 4: This example refers to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 . Thewiring map for the electric wires (1, 2, 3) in this example is shown ashorizontally disposed wires that are insulated against the ground (4).The ground area (4) comprises in this example a runway for aircraft. Theelectrical wires (1, 2, 3) are in this embodiment placed parallel to thelengthwise direction of the airfield, but this is not required. Theexposed wires (1, 2, 3) can also be replaced with an electricallyconductive wire mesh. The applied current and voltage may in thisexample be the same as in example 1, 2 or 3.

Example 5: This example refers to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 . Thepower supply lines (1, 2, 3) exist in this example as conductive railsthat run across a roadway. The roadway (4) can in this example beconsidered as earth, and the energized power lines/tracks (1, 2, 3) areisolated from this. For example, the width of the tracks (1, 2, 3) maybe 3.5 cm and are where separated by a distance of 10.5 cm. Such aphysical distribution of the rails 1, 2, 3 will have as a consequencethat in addition it will be uncomfortable to pass the grid even withoutthe power is turned on. To keep the animals at a location behind thetracks (1, 2, 3) they may be located on both sides of the road (4) theirlocation may form an obstacle (7) in the form of fences, displays, orbanks that prevent the animals from running towards the road (4) inareas where the grids (1, 2, 3) are located. The applied current andvoltage can in this example be the same as in examples 1, 2 or 3.

It is also possible to design obstacles (7) as electric fences that areconnected to electrical activators of the electrical grids (1, 2, 3).This embodiment is also intended to prevent pests from infiltrating, forexample, an industrial area.

Example 6: This example refers to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 14. FIGS. 6 and 14 show a possible embodiment for the placement ofelectrical conducting cables inside a sewer for dismissing/killing rats.In this example the electrical wires (1, 2, 3) are located inside asewer pipe (8) and down from each wire extends a free-hanging anduninsulated wire section 9 without these wire sections (9) touching thesewage liquid. The distance between the depending wire portions (9) isso adapted that a rat, by moving inside the sewer pipe (8) will comeinto contact with at least two of the hanging wires (9) simultaneously,thereby shocking the rat. The amperage and voltage that are conducted inthe energized power lines (1, 2, 3, 9) is in this embodiment strongenough to kill a rat. In this embodiment, it is desirable to avoidsparks when the energized power lines (1, 2, 3, 9) are touched to avoidany ignition of explosive gases that may occur in the sewage pipe.Access to the sewage pipe (8) may be obtained through one or moremanholes (14) with drain covers (15). One or each depending wire (1, 2,3) may be connected to a control system (14) for the operation of thedevices (see the legend to and explanation of FIG. 8 ).

Alternatively it is in such an embodiment possible to include in thesewage system fans that will remove or dilute toxic and/or explosivegases. In many older sewage systems such fans already exist. The fansmay additionally be coupled or linked to gas detectors. Relevant gasesmay be sulphurous gases (H.sub.2S, SO.sub.2), alkyl gases or fumes suchas methane, ethane, propane or other gases such as hydrogen, etc. Whensuch gases are detected the electrical system according to the inventionmay be deactivated either manually or automatically while the possiblyexisting fans will be activated.

Example 7: This example refers to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 . FIG.7 shows an embodiment for forming a fence which runs a circuit (I) forthe recognized power of fence elements (II) and in which the fence isattached to the ground by means of earth rods (10) and optionally afastening rail or bar (11) which may also be that an electricallyconductive material such as metal. Attachment of the rail (11) canconsist of a grounding copper rail or track surrounding the area to besecured from pests. In this example, there are, about 1 cm above thecopper bar (11) located, substantially parallel to the copper track orrail (11), energized and uninsulated wires (1, 2, 3) leading pulses withalternating current at 220 V and 60 Hz and with an amperage that variesrandomly between 1 and 50 mA with 120 pulse peaks every minute. Thistype of current can be regulated by means of a controlling box (12).When touching the grounded copper rail (11) and at least one of theconductive and non-insulated wires (1, 2, 3) simultaneously, theindividual touching these wires will experience jolts of alternatingcurrent at 220 V and 60 Hz with a varying intensity over short intervals(about 2 pulse peaks every half second), which will be perceived as veryunpleasant for animals that are not so small that they are killed by theelectrical shock). Such an arrangement could allow the killing of snailsand insects, but be deterrent to rodents and larger mammals/reptiles.

Example 8: This example refers to an alternative embodiment of thedevice shown in Example 6, also depicted in FIG. 13 . The design of theelectrical wiring is the same as shown in FIG. 6 , but the power supplytakes place through depending electrically conducting cords (1, 2, 3)extending into the sewage liquid 13 (shown as a wavy line in FIG. 6 ).The power supply will in this example be performed by current pulses orcurrent trains with short intervals (0.5-2 sec) transmitted through thepower wires or cords (1, 2, 3), for then to be turned off. This willprevent the system becoming overloaded and possible fuses from burningout. The current pulses will in this example be passed via the sewageliquid so that if a rodent such as a rat or other animal living in thesewage system comes into contact with sewage liquid, it will receive anelectric shock. By sending a lethal current pulse through the device ofthe invention, the rats being in contact with sewage liquid and/or theelectrical leads (1, 2, 3) will become euthanized. In this embodiment,there may be included several separate power plants (14), alternativelylocated below a drain cove of a manhole (15) so that there may be sentprogressive pulses down the appropriate sewer pipe (8) by activating theadjacent power plant progressively with an activation so that one plantis turned off when another is activated. In this way, greater lengths ofsewer pipes are kept free from rats (and other pests that may reside inthe appropriate sewer). The number of separate power plants that can beconnected is arbitrary. The pulses or pulse trains transmitted throughthe electrically conducting wires may be selected by the person skilledin the art and with experience of handling pest control, but can bewithin the range 1 to 120 pulses per minute, from 10 to 60 pulses per.minute, 10 to 40 pulses per. minutes, 30-40 pulses per minute or 50 to60 pulses per. minutes (where the pulses have a duration as indicatedabove).

When using the device of the invention in plants where there may beflammable and/or explosive gases, it is desirable to include a gas meterthat monitors the presence of any combustible gas. Upon detection suchgas may be removed by using detectors in the actual plant beingconnected to blowers that can remove the combustible gas before thepower is switched on to avoid any fires or explosions.

The device or system according to the present invention has beenexplained through the examples and the general disclosure supra. Furtherexamples of locations where the device/system according to the presentinvention may be used could be the following:

In a sewer system wherein a short-circuit is established through thesewer fluid, detectors checking the gas level are used prior toactivating the system, a direct communication with the user of thesystem or equipment is established, the system is connected to fansalready existing in the sewage system and being activated when theregistered gas level rises beyond a pre-determined level, may beconnected in series and be established in an inter-connected system andmay be moved or exist permanently with a voltage of 12 V or 220 V AC orDC. In an aquatic environment wherein the system is adapted to beingused in the sea and being adjusted in one embodiment to reject or killjellyfish being an increasing problem, establishes a short-circuitthrough the water euthanizing the jellyfish and being performed by usinge.g. a trawler such as a shrimp trawler, alternatively for theprotection of bathing beach areas where a fence is mounted under water,the geographical areas mentioned supra are protected from differentaquatic animal species, sluices for salmon lice may be established withan applied current adjusted for salmon lice.

In gardens and recreational areas such as parks, playgrounds, etc. Thesystem may reject/dismiss vermin and pests from such areas therebysolving problems associated with waste and food litter being eaten bythe pests/vermin, examples of relevant pests being scorpions, snakes,squirrels, rats, mice, cats, etc.

In existing buildings or buildings under construction for rejectingtermites, ants such as carpenter ants, beetles, cockroaches, etc. aswell as other land-dwelling pests mentioned supra such as gophers,moles, rats, mice, lemmings, etc. The system comprising a mesh ornetting driven into the ground and including a sprinkler system forkeeping the ground wet or moist for providing an improved effect to thesystem by increasing the electrical conductivity of the ground. In silosor corn and grain storing facilities for preventing rats and mice fromentering such facilities. In camping and tenting locations forpreventing scavengers and wild animals from entering such locations. Inboats for preventing growth or attachment of sea organisms on the boat'shull. In private or public garbage disposal locations for preventingscavengers such as rats, mice, badgers, raccoons, etc from entering suchlocations. In harbors for preventing the infestation of jellyfish, ofmollusks or sea-shells, of carbuncles and other growths appearing onunder-water structures in harbors an representing a potentialpossibility of corresponding organisms and offspring thereof to spreadto vessels and boats docked at the harbor.

In one embodiment the device according to the present invention includesa strip of cloth with a width of 30 cm and of an arbitrary length, e.g.7 m. Across the strip and in the longitudinal direction of the strip,there run five evenly spaced electrically conducting wire mesh stripswith a width of 4 cm. Along each of the longitudinal edges of the clothstrip there are mounted evenly spaced eye rings for securing the stripto an object, e.g. a foundation for a building, a fence, around agarbage disposal bin or area, as an integrated part of the lower sectionof a tent, etc. Alternatively, the cloth strip may be secured by othermeans, e.g. Velcro, magnets, by securing strips, through lacing, etc.The electrically conducting strips of the cloth strip are isolated fromon another and may be connected to the positive or negative pole of therelevant electrical source. It is preferred that the electrical striplocated closest to the ground is connected to the positive pole of theelectrical source since the ground may be considered as a source forfree electrons, i.e. a negative pole, having as a consequence thatanimals touching the ground and the lowest electrically conducting stripor mesh simultaneously, will experience an electrical shock. Byalternating the polarity of the electrically conducting strips on thecloth strip, if the animal is not daunted by this initial shock, andcontinues climbing the cloth strip, it will once again experience acorresponding shock when it connects the lowest and next electricallyconducting strip across the cloth strip, etc. until it has reached thetop of the cloth strip (presumably the animal has lost its nerve, let goof the strip and fled the location long before).

If, as an example, the cloth strip is secured to a metal fence around astorage building, a garbage disposal area, a kindergarten or daycarecenter, etc. and the topmost electrically conductive strip is connectedto the metal fence, the metal of the fence will function as an inherentnegative pole providing free electrons, and the animal will ultimatelyget the last electrical shock from the device according to the presentinvention when departing from the cloth strip.

One or both of the longitudinally running edges of the doth strip may inan alternative embodiment, be permanently connected to a metal strip orbar providing a grounding possibility for one or both of the uttermostelectrically conducting strips. The doth strips may be combinedlengthwise through dips connecting the oppositely located electricallyconducting strips of the individual cloth strips to ach other.

Example 9: This example relates to placing a device according to theinvention in a mouthpiece of a vacuum cleaner. In such a mouthpiece theelectrically conducting wires are located around the suction opening ofthe mouthpiece, e.g. in concentric circles around the suction opening.By pulsing a current through the electrically conducting andnon-insulated wires of the device, bugs, mites, and other vermin livingor hiding in upholstery, clothing, sheets, etc. that are vacuumed willbe euthanized or shocked and will more easily be removed through thevacuuming process. In such a device the current will be regulated to belethal for the bugs/vermin but barely noticeable to humans.

Example 10: This example relates to a device for removing salmon licefrom cultivated salmonides. The device comprises a number of tubesconnecting at least two fish cages/nets to each other. Said tubes areequipped with brushes operating in a location in the tubes wherein adevice according to the present invention is positioned for sending acurrent between the poles of a capasitor. The fish are ion oneembodiment pumped from one fish farming net to the next one through saidtubes (for gaining control of which fish that have been subjected to thedevice according to the invention. As explained supra, when fish(infected with salmon lice) pass between the poles of the capacitor, aspark will be passed between the poles of the capasitor on account ofthe reduced distance between the bodies passing the current and beingprovided by the fish (and the attached salmon lice) passing between saidpoles. When a current is passed through the fish, the salmon lice willexperience an electric shock as well, and will loosen their grip on thefish.

The function of the brushes is thus to remove the stunned salmon licethat have not let go of the fish in the electrocuting process. With thiscombined electrocuting and brushing action up to 100% of the salmon licemay be removed from the fish. It is in this example important toregulate the amperage and voltage of the current so as not to kill anysignificant amount of the infected fish. A loss of about 5% of the fishand less is acceptable in view of the situation that a much largerpercentage of the fish would have been killed by the salmon lice overtime without any treatment. It may also be possible to combine theelectrical treatment of the farmed fish against salmon lice with regularchemical treatment for salmon lice. In that case the amount of the toxicsubstances may be reduced for removing the salmon lice.

An alternative to this embodiment is shown in FIGS. 9, 9 a, 9 b and 9 cshowing a rearing cage or net (22) surrounded by electrically conductingwires/lines (1, 2, 3) conducting the above mentioned electrical pulsesor pulse trains for discouraging salmon lice from entering the relevantrearing cage or net (22). The same structure as depicted in FIG. 9 mayalso be used as a temporary insert into a fish farming cage or net fordiscouraging salmon lice from entering the fish cultivating facilityduring seasonal attack times from salmon lice. In the FIGS. 9 a, 9 b and9 c the electrified grill or netting according to the invention is shownas vertically (FIG. 9 a ) or horizontally (FIG. 9 b, 9 c ) movable orrotatable netting structures sweeping through the breeding or rearingcage or net (22). The openings in the movable or rotatable nettingstructure will be large enough to let fish through, but will provide anelectric impulse to the fish in their passing so that possible salmonlice will be shocked and let go. In this embodiment the rearing cage(22) may be equipped with a collecting device for the released salmonlice (not shown) at its bottom.

Another embodiment and use of the device according to the presentinvention is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 . This embodiment shows the deviceaccording to the present invention as a netting structure (23) to bepassed through the water by the aid of boats (24). The net (23) isequipped with floaters or buoyancy devices (25) as well as weights (26)at its top and bottom edges respectively, for keeping the netting 23 ina mainly vertical position in the water. This embodiment of theinvention is particularly suitable for removing or rejecting sharks andjellyfish from marine areas.

Yet another embodiment of the device according to the present inventionis shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 . FIG. 12 shows the electrically conductinglines (1, 2) running longitudinally along the hull of a vessel or boator surfboard (27). The electrification of the lines (1, 2) is conductedas explained supra. In the case of large boats the electrification ofthe lines (1, 2) may be conducted through the boat's own generatorsystem. In the case of smaller boats such as rowing boats, canoes,kayaks, and even surfing boards, the lines (1, 2) may be electrifiedthrough the use of a battery or battery assembly (28) being connected tothe electrically conducting lines (1, 2).

In FIG. 15 there is shown an embodiment of the device according to thepresent invention depicting an example of how to include a deviceaccording to the present invention in a tent or tent cloth (29) or partsthereof or alternatively as a fence or barrier around a tent. Theelectrification of the electrically conducting wires (1, 2, 3) in thisembodiment may be supplied by a battery or a transportable aggregate ora solar powered electrical aggregate, etc.

Example 11: In this example a device according to the present inventionis placed at the surface of a roller to be towed after a vehicle, e.g. atractor (31). An example of such an embodiment is shown I FIG. 16 andFIG. 17 . Since many animals such as insects or rodents, are sensitiveto electrical discharges and electrical fields, one way to reduce thenumber of such organisms from a geological area, e.g. a field forcultivating food vegetables such as carrots, cabbage, cucumbers,pumpkins, etc. or decorative vegetables such as roses, tulips,carnations, etc. is to scare such pests away by at regular or irregularintervals to roll a roller provided with uninsulated electricallyconducting wires at its surface for pumping electrical impulses orelectrical pulse trains into the ground. In one embodiment of such adevice there is used a positive charge in the wires, the anode, sincethe ground will represent the negative pole, the cathode, providingelectrons for closing the relevant circuits. In this example it will beone of the concerns not to kill possible worms/earthworms, caterpillarsor other possibly important and beneficiary animals for the relevantbiotope and plants. Since rodents normally represent pests in thecapacity that they eat roots of the plants, it is of interest to scarethem away from geographical areas such as crop fields and notnecessarily kill them.

Another way to achieve this goal is to drive electrically conductingpoles into the ground in the relevant field/crop field and conductelectrical pulses as the ones explained supra, through the poles. Inthis way rodents such as moles or gophers will be scared away from thegeographical area where the electrical pulses are noticed by theanimals.

In FIG. 8 there is shown an example of a wireless unit operation system.The system comprises a control unit 16 operated by anexterminator/operator. The task of the exterminator/operator is todetermine when and if the device according to the invention is to beswitched on and off. The basis for such a decision is the data receivedfrom an operation data collection unit (18) and also from an on/offsettings unit (17). The exterminator/operator determines inter alia thesettings of the system according to the invention based on whether ornot the system is to euthanize or scare the relevant organisms as wellas which organisms it is likely to encounter in the relevant habitat.The on/off settings unit (17) is in communication with a go/no-go unit(19) determining automatically if the conditions for starting the systemaccording to the invention are met (e.g. if the system according to theinvention operates in a sewer system, then registering devices forflammable or explosive gases are present will make it impossible toactivate the system according to the invention if such gases arepresent, thereby preventing possible igniting sparks to be created inthe sewer system). The go/no-go unit (19) is in turn in communicationwith the actual electrical device according to the invention (20). Thedevice according to the invention (20) is in communication with theoperation data collection unit (18). The operation data unit (18) mayalso be in communication with an administrative unit (21) (e.g. keepingtrack of the operator's rights to use the system according to theinvention based on e.g. payment of rent or history of abuse of thesystem, etc.).

A device for controlling and/or euthanizing vermin or pests forpreventing such vermin or pests from entering into a geographical areaor into a building may comprise at least one completely or partiallyuninsulated electrically conducting wire or conductor connected to anelectrical current source, providing controlled electrical pulses tosaid conductor or wire in the form of pulses or pulse trains, includingat least two electrically uninsulated conductors or wires. The devicemay comprise at least one electrical condensator/capacitor, a regulatorfor the voltage in the electrical circuit, and a regulator for theamperage in the electrical circuit. The device may comprise a voltmeterand/or an amperemeter. The electrically conducting wires may be locatedat a distance from each other within the interval up to 7 m, e.g., 0 mcoinciding with the ground surface, including 0.001 m, 0.005 m, 0.010 m,0.050 m, 0.060 m, 0.070 m, 0.080 m, 0.090 m, 0.10 m, 0.50 m, 0.70 m,0.080 m, 0.090, m, 0.10 m, 0.50 m, 0.70 m, 0.80 m, 0.90 m, 1.0 m, 2.0 m,2.50 m, 3.0 m, 3.50 m, 4.0 m, 4.50 m, 5.0 m, 5.50 m, 6.0 m, 6.50, 7.0 m.The electrically conducting wire(s) may be placed at ground level.

A method for controlling the access of pests/vermin to a geographicallocation, building or property may comprise using the device 20,particularly with the electrically conducting wire(s) lead(s) having anelectrical current with an amperage of not less than 0.0001 A. Thedevice may use a direct current and/or a current that originates from abattery or a solar cell panel. The device may use an alternating current(AC) type (e.g., with a voltage of about 110 V, 220 V or 400 V). Afrequency may be from about 50-60 Hz. The current may be pulsed with amaximum current strength at regular intervals of up to 10,000 pulses perminute. The number of electrical pulses per minute may be in the rangefrom 0-10, 10-20 or 30-50 pulses per minute, or from 50 to 200 pulsesper minute, or from 700 to 1000 pulses per minute, such as 40, 50, 60,70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140 or 150 pulses per minute. Thecurrent may be pulsed with a pulse variation of up to 120 pulses perminute such as 1 to 120 pulses per minute, from 10 to 60 pulses perminute, 10 to 40 pulses per minute, 30-40 pulses per minute or 50 to 60pulses per minute, wherein the pulses each have a duration of (e.g.) 2.8sec. The pulses may be conducted in pulse trains wherein the pulseswithin a pulse train are within the range 1 to 120 pulses per minute,from 10 to 60 pulses per. minute, 10 to 40 pulses per. minutes, 30-40pulses per minute or 50 to 60 pulses per. minute. The duration betweeneach train may be from 2 seconds and above, e.g., 2.5-7 seconds. Thenumber of pulses in a pulse train may be within the range of 3-50 pulsesper train, e.g., 3, 5, 7, 10 or 15 pulses per pulse train.

The device may be used against pests/vermin in an aquatic environment(e.g., at the surface of a hull of a sea-faring vessel, particularly ina harbor). The device 20 may be used for rejecting/killing rodents in asewer, at a kindergarten/daycare center, in a storage building, such asa storage building for food (e.g., grain) and the like. The device 20may be used for rejecting or dismissing pests and vermin from entering abuilding, wherein the electrically conducting line(s) is/are circledaround a foundation of a building at a distance of not more than 3.0 mabove ground level. The device may be adapted to be effective against atleast one animal selected from the group of rodents (mice, rats,rabbits, etc.); insects (cockroaches, beetles, ants, termites,mosquitoes, moths, wasps, scorpions, grasshoppers, etc.); arachnoids((spiders), multi-jointed, animals (centipedes), mollusks/nematodes(snails); birds (pigeons, gulls, crows, etc.); reptiles (snakes, geckos,etc.); other pests such as pine marten, weasel, raccoon, rabbits,gophers, moles, raccoons, etc. as well as animals that can attack humanssuch as hyenas, tigers, bears, wolves, wild boar, etc. The device 20 maybe used for rejecting or dismissing pests and vermin from entering anaqueous location, wherein the electrically conducting line(s) is/arecircled around the circumference of said location below water level. Thedevice may be used for rejecting, killing or dismissing pests and verminfrom entering a sewer system, wherein the electrically conductingline(s) is/are depending from a girder located in at least one sewerpipe, and entering the fluid carried in the sewer pipe for providing anelectric shock to any organism coming into contact with saidelectrically conducting line(s) or fluid or pipe.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pest control system configured to prevent pestsfrom entering a building, the system comprising: a first conductor thatis electrically conductive, at least partially uninsulated, and attachedto a foundation of the building at a first distance above a ground levelof the building; and: a second conductor that is electricallyconductive, at least partially uninsulated, and attached the foundationof the building at a second distance above the ground level of thebuilding; the system configured to discharge a plurality of pulse trainsto the first conductor, the pulse trains configured to be not lethal tothe pests, each pulse train comprising a plurality of electrical pulses,the pulses having a voltage between 400 and 50,000 volts as measuredbetween the first and second conductors, the pulses separated by aduration of time between each pulse; the plurality of pulse trainsincluding: a resting period between sequential pulse trains; a number ofpulses per minute that does not exceed 10,000; and a current that doesnot exceed 100 mA.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the resting periodbetween sequential pulse trains is at least twice the duration of timebetween adjacent pulses within a given pulse train, and the system isfurther configured to vary the duration of time between each pulse in arespective pulse train.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the number ofpulses per minute does not exceed
 120. 4. The system of claim 3, whereinthe number of pulses per minute is below
 10. 5. The system of claim 1,wherein the resting period between pulse trains is from 2.5 to 7seconds.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the current is between 0.01and 0.1 mA.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the current is within therange of 1-10 mA.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein: the pulse trainscomprise from two to twenty pulses each; the resting period betweensequential pulse trains is at least twice the duration of time betweenadjacent pulses within a given pulse train; and the system is furtherconfigured to control an energy of the plurality of pulse trains to beup to 5 Joules per 500 ohms of electrical resistance.
 9. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the resting period between sequential pulse trains isat least twice the duration of time between adjacent pulses within agiven pulse train.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the firstconductor has an electrical resistance, and the system is furtherconfigured to control an energy of the plurality of pulse trains to beup to 5 Joules per 500 ohms of electrical resistance.
 11. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising: a go/no-go unit configured to determine ifstarting conditions for the system are met; and an on/off unit coupledto go/no-go unit and configured to turn the system on or off in responseto the go/no-go unit.
 12. The pest control system of claim 1, wherein: adistance between the first and second conductors is from 0.5 to 1.5 cm;and the first and second conductors are disposed at a height above aground level of the building that does not exceed 50 cm.
 13. The pestcontrol system of claim 1, wherein: the building includes a roadway intothe building; at least a first portion of the first and secondconductors is disposed around the foundation; and at least a secondportion of the first and second conductors is disposed across theroadway.
 14. The pest control system of claim 13, wherein the system isconfigured to discharge pulse trains to the first portion disposedaround the foundation separately from the second portion disposed acrossthe roadway.
 15. The pest control system of claim 1, wherein the firstand second conductors comprise electrically conductive rails attached tothe foundation.
 16. The pest control system of claim 15, furthercomprising a track configured to isolate the first and secondconductors.
 17. A method for preventing the access of pests to abuilding, the method comprising: attaching a first electrical conductoraround a foundation of the building at a first distance above a groundlevel of the building; attaching a second electrical conductor aroundthe foundation of the building at a second distance above the groundlevel of the building; and applying a plurality of pulse trains ofnon-lethal electrical pulses to the first electrical conductor, wherein:a voltage between the first electrical conductor and the secondelectrical conductor is between 400 and 50,000 volts; an electricalcurrent of the pulses is under 100 mA; and a number of pulses per minuteof the electrical pulses does not exceed 10,0000.
 18. The pest controlsystem of claim 1, wherein: at least one of the first and secondconductors is disposed a distance from a ground level of the buildingthat does not exceed 15 cm; and a distance between the first and secondconductors is from 0.5 to 1.5 cm.
 19. The pest control system of claim18, further comprising a third conductor that is electricallyconductive, at least partially uninsulated, and disposed a thirddistance above the ground level of the building, wherein: the system isfurther configured to discharge a second plurality of pulse trains tothe third conductor, the second plurality of pulse trains comprisingpulses having a voltage between 400 and 10,000 volts as measured betweenthe second and third conductors; the first, second, and third conductorsare disposed at a height above a ground level of the building that doesnot exceed 50 cm; and a distance between adjacent pairs of the first,second, and third conductors is from 0.5 to 1.5 cm.